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HAAB Minutes 04/11/1996 Minutes Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Meeting April 11, 1996 HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING April 11, 1996 TELFORD CENTER NAPLES COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NAPLES, FLORIDA PRESENT: Ramiro Maiialich, Chief Assistant County Attorney, BCC Liaison to HAAB David Correa, HAAB Member Eva Delashmet, HAAB Member Frank Loney, HAAB Member Neil Morales, HAAB Member * Frank Rodriguez, HAAB Member Pedro Vazquez, HAAB Member As its first official action, the Board unanimously approved deferring approval of prior minutes to its April 25, 1996 meeting. This meeting was arranged with the representatives of Naples Community Hospital (hereinafter referred to as "NCH"), to discuss whether there existed an NCH policy restricting the use of foreign languages. Frank Rodriguez made opening comments regarding the history of the Hispanic Board, its functions and powers and the reason for the meeting. Frank stressed that this was an inquiry about the alleged language restriction policy and that the Hispanic Board intended to make a recommendation regarding this matter to the Board of County Commissioners after hearing from hospital representatives. The audience was introduced to the members ofthe Hispanic Board and the NCH representatives who were present. Frank Rodriguez made an opening statement addressing the following topics: Frank expressed the Hispanic Board's concerns as to whether there existed an NCH policy restricting the use of foreign languages at NCH. He mentioned a Naples Daily News article which referred to the alleged policy and he requested that NCH review its own mission statement as being inconsistent with such a language restriction policy. Frank also pointed out a number of potential problems which could interfere with service provision if such a language restriction policy were to be effectuated by NCH. Frank further commented that such a policy would have a detrimental effect on the Collier County economy which relies on tourism and agri-business. Frank Rodriguez posed a series of questions for NCH representatives involving hypothetical situations and how any such language restriction policy would affect the hypotheticals. Mr. William Crone, President of NCH, spoke next and welcomed the assembly to the Telford Center. Mr. Crone emphasized that NCH does lli!1 have a policy against employees speaking languages other than English. He also stressed that the hospital has a long history of working with Hispanics and offering employment to Hispanics such as Cubans. He mentioned that many of these minority individuals rose to supervisory positions and have had careers with NCH. He said that the discussion about a supposed language restriction policy was due to miscommunication. He then introduced members of his staff who were present at the meeting to explain what had been stated and to clarify the misunderstanding. Mr. Crone mentioned that the hospital industry is very competitive and that there is an international clientele which visits the hospital. He mentioned that there is a cultural and handicapped sensitivity program at the hospital and that there is a need to provide the best service possible to the users of the hospital services by having cultural sensitivity. Mary Ellen Kelly of the NCH Human Resources Department next spoke. Ms. Kelly mentioned that the only human resources involvement in this matter at the hospital had been a simple request to staff to be sensitive to the needs of all patients. She mentioned that there is an AT&T language line with certified interpreters which the hospital can use and that they also have translators available for Spanish and Creole as well as sign language. She mentioned that being sensitive to patient needs often includes remembering that patients are in a vulnerable situation and may think that others are talking about them when others, including hospital staff, use other languages. Ms. Kelly mentioned that questions about sensitivity to patient needs are always welcomed at the hospital and that there is a grievance procedure available for employees regarding policies set by the hospital. Board Member Neil Morales at this point asked whether there had been confusion in the Naples Daily News regarding the existence of a language policy and directed his question to Naples Daily News reporter, Liz Freeman, who was in the audience. Ms. Freeman responded to the question by stating that she was told by NCH employees that they had been instructed not to speak native languages other than English. Mr. Morales expressed concern that there was an unwritten policy regarding language usage but emphasized there should be some common ground that could be reached by all concerned to resolve this issue. Mr. Crone at this point clarified that there is no policy, formal or informal, restricting the use of foreign languages. He mentioned that no grievance had ever been filed over such a policy and that there may have simply been a miscommunication about the entire matter. 2 Ms. Fran Greene, on behalf of NCH, welcomed the opportunity to respond to Mr. Rodriguez' examples which had been brought up earlier in the meeting. She then proceeded to do so. She emphasized that the hospital had merely mentioned to employees to be polite and to be sensitive to other patients who may not understand a foreign language. She said the goal of the hospital is to have a patient user-friendly environment in a very competitive health care industry. Mr. Ed Morton, Vice President of Operations of NCH, stated he considered that he had many friends in the audience. He emphasized that there are many programs that the hospital has in Immokalee which show the depth of concern for the Hispanic community by NCH. He emphasized that this was an opportunity for dialogue and to draw the community together. Board member Vazquez stated that he was glad to hear that there was no language restriction policy and he observed that there may be a first amendment issue if there were any such language restriction. Board member Delashmet stated that she heard from several persons in Naples who are employed by NCH that they were directed to speak only English. She states that she disagrees with such a directive. Board member David Correa stated that NCH is a large employer that provides services to many people, including minorities, and that a language restriction policy created a stigma for those who use foreign languages. He stated that English improvement is a worthy goal provided that foreign languages are not prohibited in addition to the use of English. He suggested friendly dialogue to resolve this problem. Member Frank Loney thanked NCH and its representatives for having this meeting. He stated that he speaks six languages and lived in Europe where foreign language usage is a non-issue. He mentioned that he understood patient care needs and cooperation but he considered it to be improper to have an English only rule. He said he had worked at one time at NCH and had been used as a translator but that sometimes he had not been treated politely by NCH staff when he was not needed as a translator. He stressed the need to work together to resolve this entire matter. At this point in the agenda, the Board listened to public comments from the following individuals: Ms. Dorothy Keller via letter; Gilbert Erlichman; Melinda Riddle; Russ Muller; Oannes Pritzer; Jamie Martinez; Henry Tribble; Marie Dupuy; Frances Wanzie; Pedro Prado; Armando Ayala; Anna Rodriguez; Rev. Postil!; Mario Mira; Maria Longouia; and Mario Delgado. Mr. Frank Rodriguez at this point addressed the meeting by stating that the examples he had previously mentioned regarding language usage at NCH were based on real life situations which had been related to him. He said that he still tends to believe there was a problem since information was conflicting on whether there was a language restriction policy or not. He expressed his gratitude to NCH representatives for their clarification that there is no foreign language restriction policy and that this entire matter had been a misunderstanding. 3 Mr. William Crone stated that this matter was of interest to NCH and the community and could be solved through dialogue. Mr. Crone stated that NCH will continue cultural sensitivity training and always try to improve communications with its employees. Member Frank Loney opined that NCH should have a written policy on this subject clarifying the matter once and for all. Member Frank Rodriguez stated that this meeting had served to convey the message to NCH of the need for clarification about this entire matter. He stressed that the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board could not insist on any particular action by NCH in this matter since it has no jurisdiction over NCH. Frank made a motion for the Board to consider adoption of a resolution at its next meeting which would conceptually promote cultural diversity in the public and public sectors in Collier County. This resolution would also state that services should be provided in the community in a manner that promotes diversity. The motion was seconded by Eva Delashmet and a unanimous vote was rendered in favor of said motion. Member David Correa mentioned that perhaps NCH should be asked to clarify, in writing, its position that there is no language restriction policy. Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted by: ~" .ffk~ ~9 iro Maiialich Staff Liaison to the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board APPROVED ~~, HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD ON Q 1. , 1996. F_'~t~YjJ Chairman ofthe Board * Mr. Morales attended the meeting for approximately an hour and a half and then was excused to leave by the Board. 4